AFT unites forces in historic affiliation with university professors

Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT) President Melissa Cropper joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a historic affiliation between the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) to work together to promote the interests of educational employees and protect academic freedom.

Both the AFT and AAUP will continue to maintain their own autonomy and organizational hierarchy, but the partnership will allow them to combine forces to help advocate for issues such as raising the pay of adjunct professors and ensuring adequate funding for higher educational institutions, Cropper explained.

Cropper also spoke about two OFT members who are running for seats on the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) Board: Julie Sellers, a STRS contributing member and President of the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers, and Elizabeth Jones, a STRS retired member and President of Cincinnati Federation of Teachers-Retired. Both are running to improve accountability and transparency on the Board, Cropper said. They are also fighting to restore an annual cost of living adjustment to STRS retirees and to undo changes that have made it harder for teachers to retire with a full pension, she added.

Cropper then gave an overview of the OFT’s 2022 biennial convention, which was held in February in Columbus. It was the first time since the beginning of the pandemic attendees were able to meet in-person, she said.

Lastly, Cropper discussed mailings OFT members regularly receive from the Freedom Foundation, an anti-union organization. She said the organization’s efforts have had a minimal impact on union membership.

Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics.